State appeals ruling on health care expansion

CHICAGO -- The state is appealing a Cook County judge's ruling that blocked part of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's health care expansion.

Judge James Epstein on Wednesday also refused to put on hold a temporary injunction he issued earlier this month barring the administration from further implementing its FamilyCare health insurance program expansion.

The case now goes to the First District Appellate Court.

The case arose from lawsuits filed last year by two business groups and a suburban lawyer. They contended the governor overstepped his authority by expanding the program.

Blagojevich went ahead with the expansion after he couldn't persuade the full Legislature and a legislative panel to go along with him.